World in Progress

Meet Mama Maggie as she's called by the children living in Cairo's notorious slums and squatting areas: The Coptic Christian has been changing people's lives for more than 25 years. She's built an impressive network of schools and first aid and food distribution centers for the poor.

The number of people trying to reach Europe illegally has been increasing over the past few months. So have the number of deaths en route. Many cash in on the despair of illegal migrants, and for people traffickers, it's a very lucrative business. Find out more in our in-depth feature, compiled in four different countries with those involved in trafficking and those trying to stop it.

Japan's postwar tradition of pacifism feared threatened by a change in legislation -- Between hope and despair: Syrian Refugees in Egypt -- Finding one's identity: how one German woman illegally adopted in Brazil as a baby is searching for her identity

UN summit on financing sustainable development in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia -- How lower oil prices impact people in the Gulf - Earthquake victims cope with trauma in Nepal - A soundscape of Mexico City

Crime free villages in violent El Salvador - Spoken word poetry in South Africa - Fighting people's isolation in Northern Italy - homeless Karaoke in Los Angeles

On this week's show: Students jailed in Egypt's government crackdown, the dam project threatening an indigenous community in Panama, and the fight to boost child healthcare in Mozambique. Plus, Amazing Grace - a hymn of redemption that's become one of the most beloved and recognized songs around.

After the noodle snack scandal - how safe is food in India? / Racism in German school books: Why it's high time to change portrayals of Africa in German schools / #blackmendream: better chances for young Afro-Americans

Changing the rethorics on global migration -- Why Libyan authorities catch migrants, but turn a blind eye at people smugglers -- Migrant workers in Qatar hope for better working conditions -- Global impact: the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta

The Gulf nation of Qatar has come under scrutiny for abusive conditions facing workers building the World Cup stadiums and infrastructure. ARD and BBC reporters were arrested last month for filming in camps where the workers live. But DW correspondent Reese Erlich managed to get in. He files this report from Doha, Qatar.

The EU is still scrambling to come up with a plan to fight migrant traffickers in the Mediterranean. Preparation of a draft resolution at the UN to authorize a European mission has been suspended until rival Libyan authorities agree with the plan. Meanwhile in Libya, smugglers are using the power vacuum in the country to operate freely, as Marine Olivesi reports for World in Progress.

The more than 230 million international migrants also contribute a lot to the global economy and to the societies they live in. Laura Thomposon, Vice Director General of the International Organization of Migration (IOM) tells World in Progress why it's impossible to stop illegal migration without stepping up legal channels for international work migration.

Many modern human rights laws and even the constitutions of many countries around the globe were inspired by the Magna Carta. The document inspired numerous people, including the founding fathers of the USA, South African freedom fighter Nelson Mandela or Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi. Stephanie Pieper in London takes us through the history of the Magna Carta, Emma Wallis presents the report.

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has been fighting corruption for more than 15 years. Their "OECD Foreign Bribery Report" looks into cases where companies were trying to bribe foreign public officials. The aim is to eradicate corruption and bribery around the world, as OECD policy analyst Leah Ambler told DW's Emma Wallis.

Corruption happens in every country around the world, harming economies and development. World in Progress explores the OECD anti-corruption efforts, looks at Brazil's biggest corruption scandal involving the oil company Petrobras and finds out about ways of changing mentalities about bribery in Italy.

In the biggest case of corruption in Brazil, executives from some of the largest construction companies have allegedly conspired with political parties to rob the state-owned oil company Petrobras, of billions of dollars. The case has triggered significant side-effects in the world's seventh largest economy, forcing Petrobras to its knees. Thousands of workers have lost their jobs.

Corruption accounts for about 60 billion euros lost to the Italian economy every year. Tougher laws could change people's perception of corruption by coming down harder on those found guilty. After more than two years in limbo, Italy's new corruption law has finally made it through the Senate, Italy's upper house. But critics say even this law isn't enough.

In South Africa attacks on foreign workers have surved sind late March. In the slum areas, some impoverished people vent their frustration at foreigners. These attacks have prompted thousands of African migrants to pack up and leave, many returning to neighboring states. But others, who had hoped to escape the violence in their home countries, are now stuck in refugee camps in South Africa.

A long traditon: the many facets of Islam in China -- African migrants in South African refugee camps following xenophobic attacks

Islam has a long tradition in China. Today, more than 20 million Muslims in the country. Yet are not all treated the same. The Hui muslims in central China, descendants of muslim mearchants, are well integrated into Chinese society and enjoy relative freedom to practice their faith. But things are very different in the restive Xinjiang province, the homeland of the Uyghur Muslims.

Turkey is making history by putting Armenian political candidates forward -- A drilling project stirs up controversy in the Philippines -- Bamboo bikes in Beijing

The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has taken stock of the world's efforts to curb hunger. According to a report published this week, global hunger has continued to decline, but about 795 million people are still undernourished. DW speaks to FAO's Piero Conforti.

Several Armenian candidates are slated to run in Turkey's general elections in early June. It's the first time that three of the country's four main parties have chosen members of Turkey's Armenian minority. Critics say the lack of Armenians in power is one of the most visible signs of the discrimination in Turkish society.

Swaziland has the world's largest HIV epidemic, affecting roughly one in four people. New infection rates have fallen in recent years thanks to a focus on HIV prevention and education. However, women account for most new HIV infections - especially young women are much more vulnerable than men of the same age.

A new drilling project is underway on Mindoro Island in the Philippines to tap into the natural resource of volcanic heat to generate geothermal electricity. But the project has faced strong opposition from locals who fear outsiders are just trying to exploit their land.

Beijing used to be the bicycle capital of the world - but today it's more a capital of traffic jams. China's economic boom also saw an increasing number of people dump their bicycles for motorbikes or cars. But now more and more young people are rediscovering bikes. Some even construct their own bikes - made from bamboo.